Sonographic Evaluation of Bone Formation After Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of sonography for evaluation of mandible bone healing after orthognathic surgery. METHODS: The study included 10 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery. To assess new bone formation after sagittal split ramus osteotomy, the echo intensities of ultrasound (US) reflections of the proximal segment, distal segment, and bone gap were measured with a real-time US scanner at 1 day, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, and 2 and 4 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean echo intensity of US reflections of the bone gap gradually increased and became equivalent to that of bone surfaces by 4 weeks postoperatively. X-ray tomograms confirmed bone formation at the bone gap at the same time. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that sonography may be useful for evaluating osseous healing after orthognathic surgery.

A Qualitative Study on the Development of Professionalism Among Japanese Dental Students.

BACKGROUND: Professionalism is believed to vary depending on factors such as era and culture. Therefore, clarifying the meaning of professionalism in each country, region, and workplace is essential. However, how professionalism is cultivated among dental students in Japanese schools has yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, this study examined whether professionalism among Japanese dental students changes by year. This research will contribute to effective professional education. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The participants included six fourth-year dental students and nine fifth-year dental students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from November 2018 to January 2019, and verbatim transcripts were created from the recorded data. Based on these verbatim transcripts, thematic analysis was utilized to examine and identify professionalism components for each academic year. RESULTS: Three themes based on 14 constituent concepts were obtained for fourth-year students. Three themes based on 20 constituent concepts were obtained for fifth-year students. Fourth-year students primarily focused on technical aspects. In contrast, fifth-year students placed greater emphasis on attitude and communication skills. CONCLUSION: From fourth-year students, who primarily focus on classroom learning and practical training, to fifth-year students who gain clinical experience, the constituent elements of professionalism became more complex. However, this study did not examine other aspects of healthcare professionalism, such as interprofessional collaboration. A comprehensive education program tailored to the clinical setting is necessary for cultivating professionalism.

Life cycle of Coitocoecum plagiorchis (Trematoda: Digenea: Opecoelidae).

The life cycle of Coitocoecum plagiorchis Ozaki, 1926 (Coitocaecum is an incorrect subsequent spelling) was studied in the field and laboratory. The study was conducted at the Futatsu River and the Chikugo River, Kyushu, Japan. Adults of C. plagiorchis were obtained from fishes Coreoperca kawamebari, Rhinogobius spp. and Odontobutis obscura. Cotylomicrocercous cercariae with a two-point stylet (=Cercaria distyloides Faust, 1924) were detected in pleurocerid snails (Semisulcospira spp.). Metacercariae with a cyclocoel were obtained from shrimp (Neocaridina denticulata). The cercariae were experimentally exposed to the shrimp, and subsequently metacercariae with a cyclocoel were recovered from the shrimp within 24 days after exposure. These metacercariae were identified as C. plagiorchis. The sporocysts, cercariae, metacercariae and adults are briefly described.